By midday on April 30, although temperatures in the capital were high, roads surrounding Ba Dinh Square remained busy with visitors and vehicles heading to the area for sightseeing and photos.
Many wore traditional attire and carried national flags to take commemorative photographs marking the 51st anniversary of the liberation of the South and national reunification (April 30, 1975-April 30, 2026).
Doc Lap Street in front of Ba Dinh Square was crowded from early morning, with popular photo spots facing the Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum packed with people waiting to take pictures.
Weather conditions were relatively mild in the early morning, with temperatures ranging from 24 to 28 degrees Celsius, but rose above 30 degrees Celcius by midday with increasingly intense sunshine.
Many families with children arrived early to secure favourable spots near Ba Dinh Square and along Doc Lap Street for holiday photographs.
Phan Minh Duc, a Hanoi resident visiting with his family, said they had travelled into the city centre early for the holiday but arrived at Ba Dinh Square after 11.30 am.
“Although the sun was very strong, we still wanted to take family photos in front of the Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum to join the festive atmosphere,” he said.
Many wore hats, jackets, scarves and carried umbrellas to shield themselves from the heat.
Families from outside Hanoi also travelled to the capital during the four-day holiday to visit the mausoleum and take commemorative photographs.
Traditional white ao dai, youth union shirts and accessories such as scarves and red flags with yellow stars were popular among young visitors.
Huynh Thi Thu Huong, 19, from Kon Tum Province, said it was her first visit to Hanoi and she had specifically prepared an ao dai and national flag for the occasion.
“This is my first time in the capital, and coming during the reunification anniversary makes the trip even more memorable,” she said.
Meanwhile, long queues continued to form outside the mausoleum as visitors waited to pay respects to President Ho Chi Minh.
As temperatures rose further towards midday, many sought shade along Doc Lap Street to rest, while more visitors continued arriving at the square.